Table of Contents

Medicine Policy

At Mountford House Nursery we promote the good health of children attending nursery and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection (see sickness and illness policy).

Whilst we will endeavour to keep a child comfortable who has fallen ill during the day we will not accept children into nursery who are unwell or require non prescribed medication.

Definition of a well child

A healthy and well child should;

  • Have their usual pattern of behaviour
  • Not be reliant on infant paracetamol
  • Be responsive
  • Be free from illness
  • Have regular breathing patterns
  • Have a temperature that is normal to that individual

When dealing with medication of any kind the following strict guidelines will be followed.

A medicine form must always be completed and signed by both a senior (level 3 or above) member of staff and a witness, and be signed by parents/carers.

Prescribed Medication

If a child requires prescribed medicine we will obtain information about the child’s needs for this, and will ensure this information is kept up to date.

  • Prescription medicine will only be given to the person named on the bottle for the dosage stated
  • Medicines must be in their original containers with their instructions printed in English
  • Those with parental responsibility for any child requiring prescription medication should hand over the medication to the most appropriate member of staff who will then note the details of the administration on the appropriate form including times of medicines already administered at home. Another member of staff will check these details.
  • Those with parental responsibility must give prior written permission for the administration of each and every medication. However, we will accept written permission once for a whole course of medication or for the ongoing use of a particular medication under the following circumstances:
    1. The written permission is only acceptable for that brand name of medication and cannot be used for similar types of medication, e.g. if the course of antibiotics changes, a new form will need to be completed
    2. The dosage on the written permission is the only dosage that will be administered. We will not give a different dose unless a new form is completed
    3. Parents must notify us IMMEDIATELY if the child’s circumstances change, e.g. a dose has been given at home, or a change in strength/dose needs to be given.
  • The nursery will not administer a dosage that exceeds the recommended dose on the instructions
  • The parent must be asked when the child has last been given the medication before coming to nursery; and the staff member must record this information on the medication form. Similarly, when the child is picked up, the parent or guardian must be given precise details of the times and dosage given throughout the day. The parent’s signature must be obtained at both times
  • At the time of administering the medicine, a senior member of staff (level 3 or above) will ask the child to take the medicine, this will be witnessed by another member of staff who will countersign the form. (It is important to note that staff working with children are not legally obliged to administer medication)
  • If the child refuses to take the appropriate medication, then a note will be made on the form. Where medication is “essential” or may have side effects, discussion with the parent will take place to establish the appropriate response.

We will not administer any medication without a current prescription i.e. the medication must have been prescribed by a doctor within 5 days of the nursery being asked to administer it.

If a child is prescribed anti-biotics, he/she will not be allowed to attend nursery for 24 hours after beginning the course.

Non-prescribed medication

  • The nursery will not administer any non-prescription medication containing aspirin
  • The nursery will not administer non-prescription medication to any child except in an emergency i.e. to bring a temperature down or stop a convulsion.

If a child is brought into nursery in a condition in which he/she requires medication throughout the day, the child will not be accepted into nursery.

  • If a child needs emergency liquid paracetamol or similar medication during their time at nursery, nursery will provide the appropriate medication (children’s paracetamol suspension – 6months plus or children’s ibuprofen – 6months plus) given that permission has been received.
  • If a child does exhibit the symptoms, for which consent has been given on registration forms, to give non-prescription medication during the day, the nursery will make every attempt to contact the child’s parents. Where parents cannot be contacted then the nursery manager will take the decision as to whether the child is safe to have this medication based on the time the child has been in the nursery, the circumstances surrounding the need for this medication and the medical history of the child on their registration form.
  • Giving non-prescription medication will be a last resort and the nursery staff will use other methods first to try and alleviate the symptoms (where appropriate). The child will be closely monitored until the parents collect the child
  • For any non-prescription cream for skin conditions e.g. Sudocrem, prior written permission must be obtained from the parent and the onus is on the parent to provide the cream which should be clearly labelled with the child’s name
  • As with any kind of medication, staff will ensure that the parent is informed of any non-prescription medicines given to the child whilst at the nursery, together with the times and dosage given

Injections, pessaries, suppositories

As the administration of injections, pessaries and suppositories represents intrusive nursing, we will not administer these without appropriate medical training for every member of staff caring for this child. This training is specific for every child and not generic. The nursery will do all it can to make any reasonable adjustments including working with parents and other professionals to arrange for appropriate health officials to train staff in administering the medication.

Plasters and Dressings

Hypo allergenic plasters and dressings will be used when appropriate, if a child is injured. Parents/carers will be asked to sign an accident form.

Storage

All medication for children must have the child’s name clearly written on the original container and kept in a closed box, which is out of reach of all children. Emergency medication, such as inhalers and EpiPens, will be within easy reach of staff in case of an immediate need, but will remain out of children’s reach. Any antibiotics requiring refrigeration must be kept in a fridge inaccessible to children.